Defending champions Perpignan slipped to fourth place in the Top 14 after suffering a 27-12 loss away to Biarritz on Saturday.

Biarritz scored two tries through wingers Marcelo Bosch and Takudzwa Ngwenya, with Julien Peyrelongue and Dimitri Yachvili combining to put the boot into the visitors for whom Jerome Porical claimed three penalties and Steve Meyer hit a drop-goal.

Biarritz flanker Imanol Harinordoquy praised the pragmatism of his side.

"We knew how to play a more efficient type of rugby, more pragmatic," the France international said.

"Above all we knew how to play as a unit in the second half, contrary to the first half."

Clermont moved atop the league with a bonus-point 38-13 victory over Bayonne.

Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga bagged a brace in the four tries to one win, Australian Brock James proving his metromonic self at outside-half.

"As a whole, it was a tough game so I'm happy to get the five points," Clermont's Kiwi coach Vern Cotter said.

"We were a little wayward at the start and the opening period of the second half but the way we finished the match displays a very good spirit."

Castres went into second after edging a 21-19 thriller against Toulon.

Jonny Wilkinson, aiming for an England berth in next month's internationals, was outgunned by the home side's full-back Romain Teulet and Kiwi outside-half Cameron MacIntyre.

Wilkinson scored three penalties, a drop goal and converted Steve Kefu's try, but Teulet nailed five penalties and MacIntyre hit two drop goals to seal a victory for the home side.

Fifth-placed Toulouse registered a 30-12 win over Montpellier, a result that left the latter in trouble one spot off the foot of the table.

Byron Kelleher made his return at scrum-half for Toulouse after his time on the bench following a shoulder injury sustained in a drink-fuelled scuffle sparked by a road accident.

Toulouse overcame the first-half sin-binning of the former All Black, having scored three tries in the first 16 minutes through Florian Fritz, Vincent Clerc and ex-Montpellier No.8 Louis Picamoles.

Jean-Baptiste Elissalde contributed 15 points with the boot.

Racing-Metro moved into mid-table comfort with a 17-12 win over Montauban, while fellow Parisian side Stade Francais handed Brive a 44-16 thrashing on Friday.

Racing coach Simon Mannix was left with some injury concerns, however, that could affect selection ahead of next weekend's European Challenge Cup first round game against London Wasps.

No.8 Sebastien Chabal was to undergo tests on a knee injured in a maul that saw him taken off the pitch. Outside-half Andrew Mehrtens also injured his sternum and requires further examination.

In the late game, Bourgoin beat bottom-placed club Albi 26-16.

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